Mike Smith always faking it.

That sounds right to me as far as center depth. If Toews isn't ready still, then Kurashev and Reichel are in the mix.

Strome, too, but I have a feeling he's a goner.
- Theo Fox

Considering they barely played Strome at center (not to mention the healthy scratches) when they really didn't have any good options this year is pretty telling that they don't view him there going forward.

One possibility of why Bowman is trying to sign Zadorov is to establish a known quantity for trade purposes rather than trading his rights. There are pros and cons to each scenario, of course. Who knows.
- Theo Fox

In this flat cap era, no way he's worth 3.5M give or take. Remember he's eligible for arbitration and the arbiter usually splits the difference between the offer and the want. Hawks cannot walk away from the arbiter's award if it's less than something like 5M.

If Stan doesn’t submit a qualifying offer, he walks as an UFA. If Z likes it so much in Chicago he can then negotiate a contract with Bowman and sign for a more reasonable amount suitable to a 3rd pair defenseman, or test the open market.

Well here's what we lost for him:

Schmaltz

52 games G10 A22 P32
- Popsghostly

I wouldn't want the floater's contract, the higher paid floater.

What are the chances that the NHL leaves the same divisions intact for next year??

I wouldn't want the floater's contract, the higher paid floater.
- rpeters01

Schmaltz is "better" than Strome (right now), but I don't think either are what the Hawks need to collect at this point. Schmaltz's production and skillset are perfectly in line with his cap hit.

Gallant on the raider with the Rangers -
Seems a good fit

Hawks are soooo lucky to have Collitan extended👀

Gallant on the raider with the Rangers -
Seems a good fit

Hawks are soooo lucky to have Collitan extended👀
- Colbyboy

Where did you see that? Also, it still doesn't matter.

Where did you see that? Also, it still doesn't matter.
- Chunk

Nice OTGWG by Dominic Kahun. Horrible trade by Bowman, ( Ollie freekin Maata) and he could have signed him last summer for cheap. Consistent, steady, and smart hockey player. I wish I knew what Stan didn't like about him.

Nice OTGWG by Dominic Kahun. Horrible trade by Bowman, ( Ollie freekin Maata) and he could have signed him last summer for cheap. Consistent, steady, and smart hockey player. I wish I knew what Stan didn't like about him.
- Hawkytalk

Kahun 8 goals, 6 assists, a minus 3 in 46 games. Big deal.

Kahun 8 goals, 6 assists, a minus 3 in 46 games. Big deal.
- Ztra

But Bowman still sucks!

But Bowman still sucks!
- paulr

Maybe we can trade Dach for him, seems like an even trade.

But Bowman still sucks!
- paulr

Where did you see that? Also, it still doesn't matter.
- Chunk

He probably didn't see it; just wanted to bellyache about JC again. Gallant has a two year shelf life; I could totally see the Hawks making a Cup run in the next couple years.

Nice OTGWG by Dominic Kahun. Horrible trade by Bowman, ( Ollie freekin Maata) and he could have signed him last summer for cheap. Consistent, steady, and smart hockey player. I wish I knew what Stan didn't like about him.
- Hawkytalk

He's got 14 points in 46 games after a somewhat better year last year. He tries hard and is decent, but not great defensively. Sound familiar? The Hawks have 18 guys on their roster that do the exact same thing.

Vinnie
Kurashev
Suter (although he is better offensively)
Nylander
Gaudette
etc...

I didn't like the trade at the time, and you are correct Maatta wasn't all that good, but the Hawks aren't missing out because Kahun is no longer on the team. He has been on four teams in three years. I would say Janmark was/is better.

He probably didn't see it; just wanted to bellyache about JC again. Gallant has a two year shelf life; I could totally see the Hawks making a Cup run in the next couple years.
- mohel

With Gallant or Torts of course.

He's got 14 points in 46 games after a somewhat better year last year. He tries hard and is decent, but not great defensively. Sound familiar? The Hawks have 18 guys on their roster that do the exact same thing.

Vinnie
Kurashev
Suter (although he is better offensively)
Nylander
Gaudette
etc...

I didn't like the trade at the time, and you are correct Maatta wasn't all that good, but the Hawks aren't missing out because Kahun is no longer on the team. He has been on four teams in three years. I would say Janmark was/is better.
- Chunk

And Maatta was traded for Morrison and Morrison was traded for Hino. (Listed above.) Hino had 4 goals and 8 assists in 17 games with the Hawks. lol

Nice OTGWG by Dominic Kahun. Horrible trade by Bowman, ( Ollie freekin Maata) and he could have signed him last summer for cheap. Consistent, steady, and smart hockey player. I wish I knew what Stan didn't like about him.
- Hawkytalk

Maybe the same thing that Pittsburgh and Edmonton didn’t like about him?

From Larry Brooks NY Post

I talked with several individuals in the league familiar with Gallant. Their scouting reports were close to identical. To wit: Gallant is a no-nonsense guy who commands respect, communicates well with his players and staff but not necessarily the media and public. He is low-key and shuns the spotlight, but is not necessarily known for bringing structure to a team. He can coach prospects but cuts them little slack.

Perusing his résumé, I found it interesting that in each of his previous three stops, the first in Columbus beginning in 2003-04, he was fired during the middle of his third season. That does not represent much of a shelf life.

Not known for structure, and impatient with prospects. Doesn’t sound like a good fit with the current stage of the Hawks.

And Maatta was traded for Morrison and Morrison was traded for Hino. (Listed above.) Hino had 4 goals and 8 assists in 17 games with the Hawks. lol
- Ztra

The Cirrrrrrrrcle of Liiiiiiiiiiife!!!!!!!!

From Larry Brooks NY Post

I talked with several individuals in the league familiar with Gallant. Their scouting reports were close to identical. To wit: Gallant is a no-nonsense guy who commands respect, communicates well with his players and staff but not necessarily the media and public. He is low-key and shuns the spotlight, but is not necessarily known for bringing structure to a team. He can coach prospects but cuts them little slack.

Perusing his résumé, I found it interesting that in each of his previous three stops, the first in Columbus beginning in 2003-04, he was fired during the middle of his third season. That does not represent much of a shelf life.

Not known for structure, and impatient with prospects. Doesn’t sound like a good fit with the current stage of the Hawks.
- LAHawk

Can't be. He's known as good.

Can't be. He's known as a God.
- Chunk

Fixed.

Schmaltz is "better" than Strome (right now), but I don't think either are what the Hawks need to collect at this point. Schmaltz's production and skillset are perfectly in line with his cap hit.
- Chunk

But his Schmaltz's stats don't help you win against good teams. If paid by the stat, that's the same argument that was used to justify higher dollars for Strome last year and thankfully Stan didn't fall for it.

Wow! Craig Button has Kent Johnson available when the Blackhawks select at #12 !!!!

in a heart beat, we take him!

Wow! Craig Button has Kent Johnson available when the Blackhawks select at #12 !!!!

in a heart beat, we take him!
- wiz1901

Would not be surprised to see Stan use the plethora of our young defense men to move significantly up in the draft.